Morning all! Right I have to report that due to the unanticipated merger of the Our Girl Statistical Office with the Our Girl Department for Zombie Literature this weeks statistical digest is the bare minimum to meet our service level agreement. I can confirm that the number of posts last week (week 7) totalled 610 which is the lowest since week 1. However statistics are meaningless in the face of fan fic, stags, ikea missions, lessons learned, drawings, photos and Nutella. You all continue to be brilliant.
To celebrate this achievement please find below something for the coffee break. Its the opening chapter of season 2 of Our Zombie Girl. It is set around the end of Ep5 although you will see I have changed some of the preceding events. Really hope you like it. Comments and advice always welcome!
Season 2 Chapter 1
The Royal Crescent stretched in a majestic curve into the distance. A solitary figure walked briskly along its length, seemingly ignoring its Palladian splendour, bent on reaching its destination as soon as possible. A close observer may have detected a confidence and assurance in the set of the shoulders and gait. The figure strode towards a large white door set into the bath stone frontage and knocked firmly. After a short pause the door opened to reveal Charles James in blue lumberjack shirt and rigger gloves.
"Missed me?" said the smiling face of the visitor.
"Major Morley! what on earth are you doing here?" Said James.
"Your country needs you Captain James" said Morley
"Oh no not bloody zombies again" groaned James.
"I'm afraid so, and I want you back in Afghan in 24 hours" said the Major
James stared at the American then reluctantly held the door open and said, "you better come in"
Morley passed across the threshold and into the impressive entrance hall.
James pushed the door shut and turned to the American.
"You know I am not in the army anymore" said James.
"That's just a technicality. You are a soldier through and through and there is a job to be done" countered the Major.
"But I am just getting over my injuries, I am not in any kind of shape"
Morley looked James up and down and ran his tongue across his bottom lip "you look in pretty good shape to me"
James stared pointedly at the American "And how is Major Beck?"
Morley cleared his throat and broke into a shy smile "Jonathan is fine. Since he left the army he has opened a lingerie boutique which is a big hit... And we have just moved into a small flat together in Mayfair, near the American Embassy. I have taken a job as military attaché so we can be together....but I am not here to talk about me"
"James" the Major pursued "we have reliable intel which confirms that the Taliban are at it again, except this time there are no half measures. They are are rounding up thousands of civilians and building a zombie army with the aim of overwhelming the ANA in one fell swoop."
"Surely you can knock out the main production centre with air strikes and mop up on the ground after" said James
"It's not that simple" replied Morley "they have a completely decentralised and highly mobile operation. We simply do not have the resources on the ground anymore, or the political will, to undertake an operation of that scale."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"We will have to equip the ANA to deal with the zombies as they break cover through local actions. That means getting down and dirty as we did in Camp Bastion that night" explained the Major.
"Ok, makes sense but where do I come in?" Queried James
"Are you kidding me? You and your section have the only real experience of dealing with this type of weapon. Your knowledge is invaluable. Captain, I need you and your people to pass on what you know quickly and effectively, I need you to teach the ANA how to neutralise this threat."
Captain James was silent for a time. Then nodded and said "How long?"
"Couple o' months at the most. Home for Christmas" confirmed Morley.
"And the Army has agreed to detach two section?" Pursued James.
"Yes, they are prepped and ready to go"
".....And Private Dawes?" Asked James with some trepidation.
"Already in Afghanistan awaiting your arrival. She was already on a mini deployment training medics there"
"I expect she is not best pleased" Said James in an undertone.
"why do you say that Captain?" Asked Morley.
"We didn't part on the best of terms" admitted James.
Morley's brow furrowed "is there something I need to know?"
James let out a slow breath "Private Dawes and I entertained certain....feelings for each other at one time and after we returned from the last tour we met up to discuss our future....."
"And it didn't work out?" Asked Morley
"No, we went out for dinner and I said something stupid about ordering her food for her. She took it the wrong way and before I know it she has thrown her bread roll at me and stormed out."
Morley nodded slowly "that's tough"
"Your telling me" said James, "it wasn't one of those soft floury baps either, it was a crusty granary roll... She could have had my eye out"
James ran his fingers through his hair. "Since then we have hardly spoken. She isn't answering my calls and when I saw her at Private Smiths funeral, it just didn't seem right to raise it"
Morley watched James closely "I cannot let anything jeopardise this mission. if there is going to be a problem I will have Private Dawes stood down"
"No" said James setting his mouth into a determined line "we can be professional, we will get the job done"
"Ok" said Morley. "Get your kit together and report to Brize Norton at 1500 hours tomorrow for transportation to Camp Bastion along with the rest of Two Section"
James nodded and saw Morley to the door. The Major turned and drew a thick envelop out of his inside pocket.
"This is your temporary commission and your orders"
James took them and after a brief farewell the American was gone.
The reinstated Captain closed the door and slumped into a nearby chair. "Oh god" he said "I am so completely screwed!"